I know this should go in cups section but no one would read it there!
What are Livi fans expecting from our game next Saturday?
Will there be a good crowd there?

Tough, because a mod'll move it.

I don't think that's the case actually. Folk are fully aware of the Cups Forum now IMO.

A lack of goalkeepers, although we plan to help with our "pay Stewart's bus fare" campaign.

We're expecting a win quite obviously (home games against lower league opposition should always be that way). Our squad will be completely new look but I think that we have actually improved from last season's team. We're playing a decent style of football but not as offensive as last year. I still suspect we will dominate in shots on target though.

As for crowd, I think there will be about 1k max. Just because it's a cup game and people won't be as motivated to go and watch.

I predict we'll win 2-0 which could have been more.

At a bloody wedding

As EL says, we have to expect to win this game as we are at home to lower league opposition. That said, we have played 2 games this season and won none. We have a new look squad and a new manager. If there was a chance for Stranraer, then this is it.

I will predict a close game with Livi edging it. My prediction is based upon blind faith.

I have no idea what to expect...I would like to think we should be able to stick a few past you, but to be honest aslong as we win that's the important thing! First competitive game we really don't want to lose. What are Stranraer fans expecting?

Is it a replay or penalties?
I think Stranraer can draw in normal time or maybe sneak a goal!
Will need to try and keep a clean sheet though!

It will be over after 90 minutes pal, and you lot will be going home out of one cup. 2 still to look forward to getting knocked out of though!

We might get knocked out of the other two, but not this!
Anyway, we might get an easy draw against Q*eens in one of them! Then we won't need to worry at all!

I agree with the point that Stranraer have a good chance of winning after another summer of upheaval, but I think they should be good enough to beat Stranraer in all honesty.

It would be a major scalp for a team like Stranraer, but Livingston should have enough quality to squeeze through. I would even go as far as to say extra time would be a decent prediction.

It would be a cup upset but 'major scalp' is taking things too far!

A really boring game to watch despite the 4-0 scoreline. Perhaps it was just the lack of atmosphere during the game because the play was pretty solid.

Good performance from the team today especially in the second half. The first half was really anyone's game and I felt Stranraer were unlucky to go in behind. Tade should have scored from Innes' cock-up.

Some really good goals but most of them just came out of the blue when we weren't neccesarily dominating the game. I suppose that's a good attribute to have.

After it went to 2-0, Stranraer's defence comploded and we could have added more than the 2 we got. It was a shame for them because in the most part, they played very well.

I was impressed by the majority of the team today but especially Liam Fox. It seems that he has matured into a far better player over the summer and it was really on show today. McParland looks to play very two-footed which is an attribute we really needed again now that Dorrans and Snodgrass have gone. I think he will become a very good player for us. The goalie was pretty assured as well despite having not much to deal with.

Pass marks to the whole team really. I was quite impressed with them in the second half when they finally came onto a good game.

Random Thoughts
They need to get that drain cover at the west stand side of the pitch sorted out because McParland tripped over it. Could cause a serious injury if the player falls the wrong way.

That Stranraer number 5 definetely deserved to walk. A disgraceful challenge to say the least. I'm glad to hear my loud boos getting copied by the majority of A and B sections.

Stranraer look to have a few good players on their books. Their number 4, 7 and 11 all impressed me today. Tade also is living up the hype that I've been hearing.

Griffiths really needs to block out any stick and just let his obvious ability on the pitch shut up the away fans. Absolutely moronic that he got himself booked for something silly like that.

The defence wasn't as good as I'd hope they'd be. All but Talbot looked really slow and their generally slackness almost cost us on a few occasions.

How did Chris Innes play?

You were saying?

Almost made us concede at the start of the game when he dithered on a passback and Tade took the ball off of him but apart from that, he was pretty solid. Redeemed himself when McPake slipped and he was able to get back and stop the striker from shooting easily.

How I am pissing my pants reading this post.

1. We tried!!
2. Would have to agree with that, it was 2-footed! Some other questionable decisions by the ref though!
3. Don't know if anyone noticed but he could have walked before that when he gave us the fingers, when the ref wasn't looking! Him and number 9 were impressive!

And another random thought....What was our goalie playing at when he caught it miles outside our box! Comedy moment but could easily have been a sending off!

We were woeful today imo. Greg missed that sitter but I doubt very much if it would have had any bearing on the outcome of the match had he tucked it away. Players playing out of (strongest) position and generally not at the races. Full credit to Livi who took their goals well, particularly the finish for the second goal.

I will have the token moan about the ref mind. His performance was almost as bad as Stranraer's. Black could (should?) have walked for his outrageous juggling on the edge of the D, or at least for the rant at the linesman in the aftermath, god knows what he hoped to achieve by that, it only made him look like a bigger clown. A new goalkeeper is a must, Black can't even take a goal kick and its no wonder our defence looks shaky when they know that they only have him to fall back on.

The ref did get it right with the sending off though, a horrendous challenge.

Agree fully with the comments about Griffiths, the lad can play but if he gets wound up as easily as that by a group of 16 yr olds, his temperament could hold him back.

All the best in the next round though Livi, here's hoping this eye-tie gets you on the straight and narrow again.

Indeed you did. You made more noise than we did apart from ours subs and goals. Quite embarassing really.

That really was a shame because the game was generally played in good spirit. I suppose I would be that pissed off if my team were getting beat 4-0 after playing so well in the first half.

He'll get himself sent off at least once this season. No doubt. He really needs to learn that it's not worth risking his position on the pitch to wind up about 50 fans.

I think the rule is that if he had deliberately hand-balled it (e.g running up to a guy outside the box and taking the ball off him (rubbish example I know) ) it would have been a red but since he seemed to catch it and not realise he was outside the box, it was only a yellow.

I thought we gave a reasonable account of ourselves for about 1hr then the roof fell in somewhat. Unfortunate that kev nicoll made a rash challenge as I thought he and dobbs looked quite useful. Both fullbacks struggled with livi's excellent wing play. Kano had one of his poorest games in a blue jersey.

Greg should have put us 1 up early on.

The liitle ned Griffiths looked a really good player as did Cuenca.

I don't get all this negativity from Stranraer fans on how bad we were. We only played badly for the last half hour. I suppose that's the bit you remember the most. Credit has to go to Livi tho. Some really well taken goals. Although some of the goals came from us giving the ball away cheaply in dangerous areas.

Solid. Good play at times and some well taken goals. Hamill and McParland on the wings were particularly impressive.

Nice to see the Chairman and Director in the Den (Carling Italia) after the match for a drink with supporters, along with McPake, while watching match highlights. Even some Stranraer directors came in, along with a member of your coaching staff who necked a pint pretty quickly before heading off...all added to the atmosphere in there though.

Good days work.

I thought your keeper had some good saves to keep the score down.

I saw watched the game just after it finished and on reflection it looks harsh tbh and the sending off could easily been a yellow card.

Griffiths is just a young lad and am sure will learn his game has come on leaps and bounds in the last year. He used to get sent off every other week for the u19', but has screwed the nut recently. He's only 17 and will get better and better.

All the best to you guys too - it was good to chat to some of your guys in the bar afterwards!

It would appear that there is good people involved in running Livingston once again and despite the score a good day out, good bunch in the bar after the game and best of luck for the rest of the season.
Griffiths may have his faults but is some player for 17.
Davie Hay=Gentleman.

Martini and Cuenca were in for most of the night just watch the game again, later joined for dinner by Nano, Ciaffa and one other.

The directors and managemetn team were outside having a kickabout in the carpark. Goalie coach with fag constantly.

Thanks

I thought Stranraer thwarted us well early on and Tade looked as if he could do something. I just think they tired trying to keep up with our good movement. I was impressed by the centrebacks until one got sent off for a challenge he didn't have to make.

Best of luck

It may appear that Blackie made some good saves but I and those around me thought he could have caught more than one of them rather than tipping them over, also he was caught off his line so many times that he had to make the save.

It wasn't all bad though. As has been mentioned on the official website this game was a good wake up call to the players who enjoyed a pre-season stroll against junior outfits and reserve sides. I'd imagine Livi to be stronger than any of the teams we'll face in the 2nd division this year so to have played some reasonable stuff against them should be a confidence boost to the players despite the scoreline.